Justice served: Traditional healer sentenced to 25 years in jail for raping 10-year-old girl
A 54-year-old traditional healer from Sekopung Village in Limpopo was sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment for the rape of a 10 year old girl who had visited his home.
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Provincial commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the sentence handed down by the Burgersfort Regional Court on Thursday, where a 54-year-old traditional healer from Sekopung Village was sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment for the rape of a 10-year-old girl.
The accused, a well-known traditional healer from Sekopung Village, Driekop policing area, was found guilty of rape in December 2025 by the Burgersfort Regional Court, following “a thorough and diligent” investigation.
“The court found that on Sunday, 16 July 2023, during the night, the victim, a girl who was 10-years-old at the time of the incident, was visiting her aunt, who is the wife of the accused, at the accused's residential premises. The accused called the young girl to assist him in preparing a fire,” provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba narrated.
The sangoma then took the defenceless girl to another bedroom where he raped her.
“The accused's wife, becoming suspicious after noticing that both her husband and the child had been absent for an unusually long time, went to investigate. Upon entering the room, she discovered her husband in the process of dressing himself, while the young victim was found in tears,” said Ledwaba.
The child disclosed to her aunt that she had been raped by the sangoma.
The matter was subsequently reported to Driekop police station. The sangoma was arrested and later released on bail.
“The case was assigned to Sergeant Letsatsi Mojalefa of the Burgersfort Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, who conducted a thorough investigation and worked in close collaboration with Prosecutor Ngoako Petlo of the Burgersfort Regional Court. Their combined dedication and professionalism ensured that the accused was brought to justice,” said Ledwaba.
The sangoma was convicted of contravening the provisions of Section 3 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, Act 32 of 2007, which pertains to rape.
Provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe
Image: SAPS
Welcoming the sentence, provincial commissioner Hadebe said she hopes it serves as a deterrent.
"This sentence sends a clear and unambiguous message that the courts and law enforcement in Limpopo will not tolerate any form of sexual violence against our children, regardless of one's social standing in the community,” said Hadebe.
“The fact that this perpetrator exploited a position of trust, abusing a child who was a guest in his own home, makes this crime even more heinous. We commend Sergeant Mojalefa and Prosecutor Petlo for their unwavering commitment to securing justice for this young survivor.”
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